MP backs family in hospital death trauma

An MP is backing a family’s campaign for improved care at Barnet Hospital following the death of their father.

James Clappison, MP for Hertsmere, wrote to the hospital after it admitted its treatment of 80-year-old Frank Reuben was “not acceptable”.

Mr Reuben was admitted in January with a chest infection, but was wrongly discharged and later readmitted. His family claim the decision to discharge him, and the poor care he received contributed to his death.

The hospital admitted its care had “dropped below the high standard” and set up an investigation.

Mr Clappison said: “I have great sympathy for the family after what it has been through. I’ve requested the hospital look into its care and get back to [Mr Reuben’s daughter] Mrs Berman with the results of their investigation as soon as possible.

In a statement to the JC, Barnet Hospital said it had written to its staff to remind them: “our ‘fundamental purpose’ is to provide safe, high quality care to our patients” and that initiatives had been introduced to ensure patients were “treated safely, effectively and with dignity”. Mrs Berman said she doubted improvements would be made, and that she was still waiting to hear the results of the investigation.